Turn table



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. A. GRBENLEAP. TURN TABLE.

No. 599,934. Patented Mar. 1, 1898.

T si v l f" Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

C. A. GREENLEAF.

' TURN TABLE.. No. 599,934. Patented Mar. 1, 1898'.

ma Qmw Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLEMENTS A. GREENLEAF, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

TU RN-TABLE. v

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,934, dated March 1, 1898.

Application filed March 2 2, l 8 9 7.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLEMENTS A. GREEN- LEAF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Turn-Tables for Rail and other Roads, of which the following is a specication.

One prominent feature of my invention relates to a novel and advantageous construction for adjusting the pedestal or center-post for a turn-table. It is obvious that the turntable must have a perfect adjustment to be satisfactory in the operation of turning heavy loads. It is hardly possible to erect the masonry'for a turn-table in Wet places to exact dimensions, and besides this obstacle in perfectly adjusting the turn-table foundation in the first construction a second obstacle to continued perfect adjustment of the turn-table arises from the fact that the piling or masonry often settles or moves after it is in place. My improved construction for adjustment overcomes these disadvantages and difiiculties.

Another feature of my invention relates to novel mechanism for turning the turn-table.

Still another feature of my invention relates to novel means for locking the turn-table when it has reached the desired point in its rotation and where it is to receive its load or to discharge the one theretofore located upon it.

These and other features of my invention Will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The various advantages resulting from the use of these several features,conj ointly or otherwise, will be fully specified in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure l, Sheet 1, shows a vertical central longitudinal section of a turn-table cenvter embodying certain features of my invention. Attention is called to the fact that a vertical central transverse section would only change this drawing, as shown by the dotted lines, showing the length of the cylindrical roll and the projection that it would make on the outside of the cap. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a Serial No. 628,589. (No model.)

top View of the turn-table center and the im? of the table being d ivested of the platform to the better disclose the constructions sought to be presented. Fig. et is a vertical section of parts of the base of the turn-table center, showing a modification of a detail of the means for holding the central post to the sole or foundation-plate.

I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail.

A indicates the center-post orpedestal, provided at its foot on various sides with horizontal projections A2, preferably continuous, and thus forming an annular portion or ring A2. The foundation-plate B rests upon a suitable foundation of masonry or of piling, &c., and the plate is securely bolted thereto. the masonry, piling, &c.-to wit, this lower foundation-moves, the foundation-plate B moves with it. Upon this foundation-plate B rests the center-post A. The correlative portions of this post A and of the foundationplate B are as followsf The foundation-plate carries at or near its periphery a verticallyprojecting rim or iiange B2. The basal flange A2 of the center-post A is in diameter smaller than this projecting rim B2. The flange A2 of the center-post A is Within and inclosed by the rim B2, but being of smaller diameter than the latter there is room left (in making the adjustments) to move the center-post to the exact center of the turn-table pit or roundhouse. There is no particular extent of this adjusting space or room that should be left between the rim B2 and the flange A2, but theA space should be enough to overcoineany variation that might occur by settlement or otherwise in the masonry or piling foundations.

When the turn-table is to be erected, the foundation-plate B is placed on the subfoun- IOO dation and anchored thereto. The centerpost A is placed on the plate B, the ilange A2 of the post coming within the rim B2 of the plate B. The center-post is then adj usted to a perpendicular by means of the jack-screws C C C, which latter are screwed into the flange A2, and as needed to el'evate their re spective adjacent portions of the flange A2 and centerpost are screwed through the flange A2 and impinge upon the foundationplate B, lifting the center-post at the point of impingement and in the vicinity thereof. The center-post is then adjusted in a horizontal direction, if necessary, so that the center of it (the center-post) shall be coincident with the center of the turn-table pit or roundhouse by means of the horizontal adjustingscrews D D D D. Three of such screws would be sufficient, but I have shown four for convenience. These screws are screwed through the rim B2, and their inner ends impinge against the center-post, usually against the vertical outer surface of the flange A2. By screwing one or another of these screws D the center-post A is moved to the correct position, so that it and the turn-table pit shall be axially coincident. Vhen these perfect vertical and axial adjustments of the turntable center-post A are obtained, the holddown-bolts E E E are securely tightened,

'thereby securing the center-post A to the foundation-plate B and in proper position thereon. These bolts E pass through holes E2 in the flange A2 and are screwed into the foundation-plate B, as shown. The holes E2 are of larger diameter than the bolts and afford the post A opportunity to be moved horizontally, as aforementioned. Washers E3, of a diameter larger than the holes E2, embrace their respective bolts and assist the head of the bolt in properly engaging with the upper surface of the ange A2 as its screw E is tightened. After the screws E are tightened melted sulfur or other suitable substance is filled into the space between the foundation-plate B and the flange A2 of the centerpost, making the adjustable center-post secure and ready for the erection of the turntable thereon.

The aforedescribed improvements for enabling the center-post to be thus adjusted confer the important advantage of enabling a perfect adjustment of the center-post at the time of the erection of the turn-table, and the further important advantage of being easily adj usted at any time without interfering with the use of the turn-table. This latter adj ustment is often required, as the foundation often settles or moves from continued rain or from accident or other causes.

F indicates a piece that makes the lower half of the differential cylindrical joint. This piece F is provided with a concave recess F2 in its upper part, substantially as shown, and it also has a circular dowel or cylindrical projection F3 on its lower side that lits the hole in upperhousin g Gand extends down through said housing G and past the conical rolls H and for a short distance into lower housing J and reaches to within a short distance of the top of the center-post A. This piece F has also a large vertical oil-hole F4 through its center. The advantage of the said projection F3 in being thus extended down and continued for a short distance into lower housing J is that such construction prevents any shock that the turn-table may receive from the load passing on or off the same from being communicated to the conical rolls H, for said conical rolls run loose in the housings of this wellknown antifriction-bearing. The space F5 between the bottom of the part E3 of the piece F and the top of the post A is of about the same height as the annular space H2 between the lower housing J and the upper housing G and outside of-the rolls H, so that as the conical rolls H wear, as they will do in time, the projection F3 will not come into contact with the projection A3 from the top of post A before the housings G and J will come in contact with each other.

The space F5 serves to collect the grit or sediment that may pass in with the oil or otherwise and to prevent this `grit or sediment from being injected in the antifrictionroller bearing, consisting, as heretofore indicated, of the housings G and J and conical rolls H, as the oil rises from space F5, leaving the sediment in bottom of space F5 and the oil entering into and distributing itself through said bearing at the space H2. The cause of such action of the oil is the pressure in large oil-hole F4 when the latter is filled with oil.

K indicates the suspender-bolts.

L indicates vertical rolls provided with housing M.

N indicates the cap, and N2 the vertical eX- tensions with which it is provided for the purpose of steadying it and enabling it at the same time to rotate without friction. These extensions contain the housings M, and therefore the vertical rolls L. These extensions and their rolls are not claimed herein. They and their mode of operation are fully set forth and claimed in the United States Letters Patent No. 563,480, dated July 7, 1896, granted to me for turn-tables.

Z indicates a cylindrical roll lying `in the concavity F2 of the piece F and entering the concavity N3 of the cap N and supporting the latter. This joint thus formed has, substantially as shown, the differential diameters the same as the differential ball-and-socket joint (set forth in the Letters Patent No. 563,480 granted me) to balance the table to a horizontal plane endwise, but has no side adjustment, as has the differential ball-and-socket joint in said Letters Patent. It will be understood that the side adjustment in the present construction is made at the base of thel centerpost with the adjusting jack-screws C C C, and when adjusted it is fastened in the horizontal position by the holddown bolts and washers, (marked E E E,) as there is no need IIO of any side motion to the turn-table platform in turning; but the table should always remain in a horizontal position sidewise and only tip endwise.

The advantage of the adjustable centerpost is plain. For instance, the turn-table must have perfect adjustment to be satisfactory in turning heavy loads.

R is a reservoir to hold compressed air. R2 is a hose-coupling to fill said reservoir from the locomotives.

R3 is a pipe conducting the compressedair from the reservoir to a hollow stop cock or valve, (marked S.) Y

S2 is a connection-pipe that connects valve S to two pneumatic hoists, (marked T T.) Said hoists T T operate wire rope T2 to pull in either direction. Said wire rope T2 is coiled several turns around the turn-table centerpost. Said center acts as the drum or fulcrum by which to turn the turn-table around in either direction or to stop the same at any desired point. The hollow stop-cock S receives the compressed air continuously through the conducting-pipe R3 and is operated by the lever V into either hoist T T at will through connecting-pipe S2. The openings or port-holes in hollow stop-cock S are so arranged that either or both hoists T T can receive compressed air at the will of the operator of lever V. l

W is a bracket bolted onto the side of the turn-table and supports a hollow column W2. Said column W2 has on the inside suitable boxes to receive vertical shaft W2. Said shaft W3 and hollow column W2 are of suitable length, so that the leverVis in easy reach of the engine-runner when he is on the locomotive while on the turn-table. On the lower end of shaft TV3 is an arm W4, which arm is connected to the valve (hollow stop-cock). S by connection-rod V, so that any movement of lever W2 is immediately communicated to valve S.

X X are two pipes that conduct compressed air, when desired, to cylinder X2. Said cylinder X2 is provided with a suitable valvee. g., Knowlesto receive and exhaust compressed air at either end of said cylinder X2. The locking-bolt X2 has an enlarged end that forms a piston-head in cylinder X2, and said locking-bolt is operated in a reciprocating motion at the will of the engine-runner who handles lever V.

Vhen the operatorhas the turn-table about in the position that he wants it to run off the table with the locomotive, he by a slight movement of lever V shoots the locking-bolt into place, where it remains until the table is to be moved around to receive another locomotive. The lever V is then moved so as to admit compressed air into the other end of the Knowles valve, which discharges the compressed air from one end of cylinder X2 and admits it into the other end and shoots the locking-bolt X2 back to the place of beginning and leaves the table free to be turned by hand. The locking-bolt X3 is an additional device to the automatic locks patented by me in my said Letters Patent No. 563,480 and is to be used in turning by power at the same time with said automatic locks. The locking-bolt is an additional safeguard required, because the engine-runner is not in a position to see when the turn-table is in exact position to enter the automatic locks.

Y is a cross-beam supporting two sheaves,`r provided with suitable axles Y2 Y2 to hold wire rope T2 in a pulling position to turn the turn table around or stop the same. The holes that are to be made on the inside of the turn-table-pit wall must have a vertical depth sufficient to allow the table to tip to the bearings on automatic locks described in said Letters Patent No. 563,480; but said holes may t the locking-bolt laterally. The advantage of this construction and arrangement of said device is that the engineer can take out locomotives at any hour of the night when the yardmen are not about.

Referring to my turn-tablecenter, a modiiication of certain features of my invention consists in substituting wedges BG for the holddown-bolts E and the laterally-adjusting screws D. In such event the upper inner part of the vertical rim of the foundationplate B vmay have an overhanging projection B4', having a bevel side or face B5. The outer upper edge or projection of the center-post may have beveled spots or faces A2. Each edge B6 is inserted between such adjacent faces B5 and A3.

My invention in turn-table centers is advantageously applicable to gun-turrets and gun-carriages, as well as telescopes on shipboard, for the reason that with it the load always balances to a horizontal plane.

lVhat I claim as new and of myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The cylindrical roll Z and the concave in the top or cap N, and the concave in the bed-piece F, these concaves receiving the cylindrical roll, but having the differential diameters, in relation to the diameter of the roll, and forming the diiierential joint for balancing the table to a horizontal plane in the direction of its length, in combination with the center-post A and the foundation-plate B, and the adjusting jack-screws C, and devices for holding the center-post down to place to the foundation-plate, substantially as and for the purposes speciiied.

2. The cylindrical roll Z and the concave in the top or cap N, and the concave in the bed-piece F, these concaves receiving the cylindrical roll, but having the differential diameters, in relation to the diameter of the roll, and forming the differential joint for balancing the table to a horizontal plane in-the direction of its length, vin combination with the center-post A and the foundation-plate B, and the adjusting jack-screws C, and the holddown-screws E, substantially as and for the purposes speciiied.

IOO

IIO

:o B, and the adjusting jack-screws C, and the liolddoWn-screws E, and the horizontal bolts D, the plate having vertical projection for the latter, and the center-post having lateral projection for the screws C and screws E, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

CLEMEN TS A. GREENLEAF.

Attest:

KATE L. KERCHEVAL, DAVID A. MYERS. 

